It’s not typically that two competing manufacturers, each owned by the identical guardian firm, provide two mainstream choices which might be priced, powered, and sized principally the identical. Cannibalization, as some “enterprise minds” would name it, however that’s the Hyundai Motor Group’s drawback, not yours. All you must do is resolve which midsize three-row SUV is best to your wants: the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe or the 2024 Kia Sorento. Seeing as it is a comparability check evaluate, we’re right here to assist.
Familial Ties
The not too long ago revamped 2024 Santa Fe, for this check in dressed up in its luxury-leaning Calligraphy HTRAC trim, and the 2024 Sorento X-Professional SX Status, additionally decked out in its finest duds, each are optioned with all-wheel drive, use the identical eight-speed dual-clutch automated transmission, and are powered by the identical 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Each engines make 311 lb-ft of torque, although the Hyundai produces a claimed 277 hp and the Kia places down 281. Belief us, you received’t be capable to inform the distinction from the motive force’s seat.
They’ve the very same wheelbase, as properly, although the Sorento’s X-Professional trim does include 1.2 inches extra floor clearance than the Santa Fe’s 7.0 inches. Cargo volumes are related, too, with the Santa Fe pulling forward of the Sorento by just a few cubic inches right here and there. Lastly, the Sorento can tow as much as 4,500 kilos, whereas the Santa Fe can solely haul 3,500 in all.
Santa Fes in Calligraphy trim are fitted with 21-inch wheels, black roof rails, second-row captain’s chairs, a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system, a head-up show, quilted door panels, and a two-tone leather-wrapped steering wheel among the many premium commonplace options.
Kia’s X-Professional is an adventure-ready trim that was simply added as an choice for the 2024 mannequin 12 months Sorento. It will get 17-inch wheels wrapped in big-sidewall BFGoodrich all-terrain tires, elevated towing capability (as famous above), earth-tone inside colours, and imitation wooden cabin trim. The SX Status provides retractable rear-door sunshades, a 14-way powered driver’s seat, heated and ventilated entrance seats, and a powered tailgate.
Each SUVs additionally include the Hyundai Group’s top-shelf Freeway Driving Help 2 adaptive cruise management system with assisted lane modifications.
Associated however Completely different
The Sorento has been carrying a model of Kia’s newest company fascia since this technology’s debut 4 years in the past. It’s nonetheless crisp and modern-looking, however the freshly redesigned Santa Fe hits like a jab between the eyes. In a great way.
Between the outgoing fourth technology and this present fifth, you’d be forgiven for those who thought the brand new Santa Fe was styled by a totally completely different automaker. The entrance now wears a slim and smooth horizontal mild beam, and its daytime working lights are formed like H’s (for Hyundai, heh). From nostril to C-pillar, there’s one thing very Land Rover Defender–ish about its profile.
Then there’s the rear. It’s polarizing, thanks largely to the low taillight positioning that some on workers imagine makes your complete again finish look bulbous, unbalanced, and ungainly. The taillights themselves are h-shaped like canine bones, which some additionally discovered to be off-putting. One factor’s for certain, the Santa Fe has an simple model to it—whether or not you prefer it or not.
Each SUVs are fitted with the massive, single-piece dual-screen setup throughout the sprint that’s already prevalent in different Hyundai and Kia fashions. In these two fashions, not less than, the Sorento’s two-tone format seems higher than the Santa Fe’s plain black, and the Kia’s “wooden” trim definitely brings heat to the whole lot; these earth tones had been actually the best avenue to take. Nonetheless, by shifting the transmission lever from the middle console to the steering column, Santa Fe stylists had been ready to make use of the area so as to add not one, however two wi-fi charging pads. Plus, it simply seems airier. And the local weather controls and radio are far simpler to determine and use within the Santa Fe since you don’t must toggle between the 2 on the decrease display screen as you do within the Sorento.
Within the second row, the captain’s chairs employed by the pair have the identical seat consolation. Third-row roominess throughout each isn’t probably the most beneficiant, however the Santa Fe provides local weather vents again there, whereas within the Sorento, there aren’t any.
Driving the Sorento and Santa Fe
Behind the wheel, the Sorento is relaxed and agreeable. It has loads of energy and torque to stand up to hurry (although you’ll hear that engine work) and stay there. However its barely larger journey peak and all-terrain BFGoodriches work towards it some, because the journey high quality is a bit of jittery and you may hear the tires buzzing towards the highway. Nonetheless, be aware that this is the extra rugged model of the Sorento, so these criticisms are to be anticipated. At low speeds, the steering could be imprecise and unfastened, however it turns into way more correct when you decide up the tempo. In our figure-eight check of the Sorento, we famous its wonderful dealing with, with little or no understeer for those who don’t drive it too exhausting. A squishy brake pedal means you have to be firmer along with your stops, and the transmission may very well be extra refined in stop-and-go conditions, however total, the Sorento is an excellent every day driver with loads of passenger area and facilities.
We additionally need to ship a shout-out to the Sorento’s model of Freeway Driving Help 2, the beforehand talked about superior driver help cruise management system. With the addition of automated lane change, it’s really a standout suite of driver aids. It retains the automobile completely centered within the lane, manages pace with shifting visitors in a peaceful method, slows down subtly round corners, and is straightforward to have interaction and disengage.
However regardless of the Sorento’s robust factors, the whole lot within the Santa Fe simply feels newer. There’s no different solution to say it. The throttle was extra responsive, the transmission smoother, the brakes higher, and the journey extra snug. Oh, and the dealing with is improved over the Sorento thanks partially to the completely different rim and tire package deal and decrease journey peak. Underneath aggressive driving, two of our check drivers reported a long-travel, delayed-reaction brake pedal, in order that’s one thing to bear in mind. In any other case, automobile dynamics are good with no different antagonistic traits.
The one main demerit towards the Santa Fe was, surprisingly, surrounding its cruise management. It additionally makes use of Freeway Driving Help 2 with assisted lane modifications, however quite than regular itself in the midst of the lane just like the Kia so flawlessly did, the Santa Fe’s system wandered some between the traces. A few instances, it introduced us so concerningly near the middle double yellow that we had been pressured to grab management once more. For this, we suggest perhaps utilizing the adaptive cruise with out the lane centering operate.
So, Which One Received?
The Santa Fe got here out on high with out a lot contest, but we reiterate each vehicles are wonderful at what they do and, on their very own, would fulfill any purchaser.
However seeing how equally arrange and priced they’re, the Santa Fe is a greater place to park your cash. Most the whole lot about it, wanting its unusual driver help habits (which may have been distinctive to this automobile) and brake pedal operation, feels newer and extra polished. Understand that the Sorento got here out in 2021 and is thus using round on 2021 tech. The all-new fifth-generation Santa Fe made its debut final 12 months for the 2024 mannequin 12 months, so the whole lot about it’s model spanking new.
It’s humorous: After spending back-to-back time in each SUVs, the Santa Fe looks like what a Sorento refresh would virtually definitely be. We’ll doubtless see quickly sufficient.
2nd Place: 2024 Kia Sorento X-Professional SX Status
Execs
- Ample consolation and comfort options
- Upscale inside
- Glorious adaptive cruise management system
Cons
- Rides a bit jittery
- Unrefined transmission
- Much less cargo quantity than Santa Fe
Verdict: The Sorento pulls out all of the stops for what you may get on a near-luxury midsize three-row SUV, issues simply want a bit of extra refinement.
1st Place: 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe HTRAC Calligraphy
Execs
- Twin-phone heart console
- All the pieces feels extra trendy
- Opulent inside on near-luxury automobile
Cons
- Lane centering operate didn’t work properly
- Delayed brake-pedal response underneath exhausting driving
- Polarizing rear-end model
Verdict: Being equally sized, formed, priced, and powered, the newer Santa Fe is the extra improved and comfy of the 2.